McKinnon-Rantanen best tandem in NHL?

[jonlin]

MacKinnon and Rantanen seem to have that special chemistry. Are they the current best tandem in the NHL? Both are over PPG and the last 10 games look like this:

MacKinnon 10gp 9g 11a 20p +10

Rantanen 10gp 6g 14a 20p +11

They seem to find eachother really well on the ice and have a blast playing together. You can really see they enjoy hockey now.

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[Kuhta]

Gretzky-Kurri?

 

[jonlin]

Gretzky-Kurri?

Ok, I will insert the "IS", as if you didnt already know this was coming...

 

[Kcb12345]

MacKinnon*

Yes this year they are. I assume they will be for years to come unless this season from MacKinnon is a fluke somehow, which I find very unlikely.

 

[TimThomas24]

I have a hard time going against Bergeron and Marchand. They’ve been together for years, won a cup, gold medal at WCH. I’ll take the experience over a couple guys in the midst of a playoff race.

 

[Gabe the Babe]

Had to check how Jamie Benn was doing...

But I’ll say chemistry wise, yes. Talent wise. Definitely still Stammer-Kuch

 

[Hasbro]

Right now the Bottle Kids Line is tHe best in the NHL with Landeskog playing the Gilles role.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

They're really good. Magical together. It's not just Mackinnon either. I'm getting tired of reading how Mikko is riding off him. Playing with the best player in the NHL this season certainly helps but let's not act like the help doesn't go both ways. Mikko is an absolute force out there.

Mac & Cheese.

 

[rent free]

It's greiss and halak ofc

 

[HenrikW]

They're really good. Magical together. It's not just Mackinnon either. I'm getting tired of reading how Mikko is riding off him. Playing with the best player in the NHL this season certainly helps but let's not act like the help doesn't go both ways. Mikko is an absolute force out there.

Mac & Cheese.

Mikko is obviously not only riding off MacK. People said the same thing about Draisaitl last season too. This season only Stamkos and Kucherov has been as magical imo. I think the Avalance pair is somewhat helped by the number of PP's their team has drawn this season though, Mikko for example only has 48 EV points in 72 games.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Mikko is obviously not only riding off MacK. People said the same thing about Draisaitl last season too. This season only Stamkos and Kucherov has been as magical imo. I think the Avalance pair is somewhat helped by the number of PP's their team has drawn this season though, Mikko for example only has 48 EV points in 72 games.

That's still pretty good and puts him 23rd in the NHL.

But yeah I agree in the comparison to Mcdavid/Draisaitl. Draisaitl is obviously a superior hockey player to Rantanen but he went through the same comparatives of leeching off his linemate.

 

[HenrikW]

That's still pretty good and puts him 23rd in the NHL.

But yeah I agree in the comparison to Mcdavid/Draisaitl. Draisaitl is obviously a superior hockey player to Rantanen but he went through the same comparatives of leeching off his linemate.

Well the only comparison I'm drawing to Draisaitl is that he was said to be carried, similar to whats being said about Rantanen now.

Rantanen only has 2 seasons in NHL so I think it's too early to tell how well those 2 players compare.

As for this season:
Kucherov and Stamkos ranks 2, 15 EV, while MacK and Mikko ranks 3, 23. And 1, 6 vs 2, 13 in total.

The argument is if MacK+Rantanen is the most magical pairing this season. My take is that it's very close either way.

 

[bobholly39]

This season? Sure - maybe. Overall? I dunno still a stunningly small sample size. It may just be a hot streak/career year where they both come crashing down to earth soon.

Also - I actually prefer Kucherov/Stamkos, so no, they're not #1. Bergeon/Marchand are also pretty damn good. They are certainly near the top though, maybe #2 or 3.

 

[3rdLiner]

Marchand / Bergeron are better.

 

[tony d]

They're both doing awesome for sure. Very fun duo to watch. Maybe not Gretzky-Kurri but they're going to do pretty good themselves.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

Lando's contribution to that line is severely underrated. Might not end up on the score sheet as often, but gives the other two so much time and space through his play style.

 

[Spilot23]

Lando's contribution to that line is severely underrated. Might not end up on the score sheet as often, but gives the other two so much time and space through his play style.

Indeed, he is really good in the back end. Did an amazing back check against STL last game they played that led to a breakaway goal from Rants. I think they balance pretty well with Landy’s defensive game but at some point we will need our 2nd line/3rd line to score. Can’t always rely on the PP, I said that in the GDT that they will need the other lines or the PP to step up because our top line were held down in our own zone by that Saad-Toews-Kane line. Our PP and other lines stepped up with 2 PP goals I think with Kerfoot getting 2 goals. But yeah I agree that Landy is underrated on that line because of his stats.

 

[BB88]

I think I have to agree with Marchand- Bergeron- (Pasta).

Best defensive duo in the league, both are tough to play against and especially Marchand is having a crazy offensive year, 75 points in 57 games and Bergeron is ppg as well.

 

[Lays]

O Gara-Gilmour
/thread

 

[OldManGroin]

Patches / Drouin AINEC.

No duo has brought their team closer to the #1 overall pick.

 

[Gargyn]

Some good ones for sure. Bergeron and Marchand. Stamkos and Kucherov. Couturier and Giroux. Ovie and Kuznetsov. Scheifele and Wheeler. Benn and Seguin.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Bergeron and Marchand are the best easily. 2nd best is McDavid-Drai

 

[trick9]

Scheifele and Wheeler.

 

[alko]

See? And 2 years ago many of you selected MacKinnon one of the biggest draft busts.

 

[Addison Rae]

Patches / Drouin AINEC.

No duo has brought their team closer to the #1 overall pick.

Loui Eriksson / Brandon Sutter laughs in your face.